Arnold Gay

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What do Nokia, Conocophillips and MacDonalds have in common? If you said they were leaders in their respective fields, you’d be right of course. But that is only half the story. All three are also considered by the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), as ethical and socially responsible companies, worthy of investing in.

Global emerging markets, or GEMS, entice would-be investors with the potential of big returns. The growth of these markets over the past few years has been impressive. In 2006 alone, the MSCI Emerging Markets index rose 29%, led by an extraordinary 53% gain in its four biggest countries — Brazil, Russia, India and China.

What could a Chinese dumpling maker named Li Wei and Bill Gates possibly have in common? They're among a record number of wealthy people who held the title of billionaire in 2006. And, according to Forbes magazine’s annual tally, the billionaire club is growing.